I’ve been following all the TV Pack talk lately and I don’t think this question has been asked yet.  An hour or so of searching didn’t yield an answer so I thought I’d run it by the community.

I just bought an HP m9300t with an ATI OCUR tuner (yes those of you who know me know that I said I’d never buy a pre-built, but hey I want HD in VMC = no choice, tired of waiting).  The catch is that I bought it just a week or two before the TV Pack was released.  I haven’t yet set up my tuners in VMC so I thought I’d risk installing the bootleg TV Pack and see how things went (it installed just fine).

Here’s where my question comes in.  It seems common practice to setup the OCUR tuners in VMC first without the CableCards, configuring them solely as QAM tuners to verify connection and function.  Does this still apply with the TV Pack, or with the new tuner wizards should the CableCards be installed beforehand?

The m9300t also came with a combo ATSC/NTSC tuner that I’d like to setup at the same time.  I assume this should be cake with the new TV Pack wizards.

I have a HP m9000t with the TV pack installed.

If you setup the tuners without the cable cards you will have to run the setup again after you install the cards.

I would suggest setting everything up with the cable cards. These are the setups I would follow:

• Update firmware on ATI tuners
• Connect cable wires to tuners and insert cable cards.
• Wait a few minutes for both led's to be green. If the led's aren't green you have card, signal or tuner issues. You will not be able to setup the tuners until the issues are resolved. (setting them up to do clear QAM will help identify issues)
• Open the tuner webpage, click on the card tab, click on the pairing link. (one way of getting the pairing info - links only show up when a card is installed and working correctly)
• Run media center setup. Follow the steps on the screen. (pairing info will come up here as well.)

If your HP comes with the ViXS tuner you will need to update the driver with a vista view driver to use it for clear QAM. The Vista View Saber DA-1N1-E is the same card.

I have seen a lot of recommendations on when/how to set up the OCUR tuners, including very specific instructions from SONY engineering on my old VGX-XL3 that stated:

1. Configure tuner without CableCards inserted
2. Tune to an SD channel and leave playing at least 1 hour
3. Turn off machine
4. Install CableCards
5. Boot machine and wait at least 2 minutes but less than 10 minutes
6. Enter Media Center and run tuner setup when CableCards are recognized
   

I can't believe that the technology is that temperamental.  I recently rebuilt my S1 box from the original (not the new!) restore DVD.  I then installed all of the MS updates (including SP1....).

After completing that, I installed the TV Pack, PlayReady and two KB's noted in another post here.  Shut down machine.  Installed CableCards. Opened Media Center for the fist time and followed the TV setup.

Everything worked like a champ.  No "at least two minutes but less than 10 minutes" or "configure without CableCard first".  I also noted that the overall experience for TV setup was much faster (it didn't require the full guide download prior to setting up the signal). Overall, it just seemed to work.

Now of course I have one of those fancy OEM boxes that increase the likelihood of a high end experience (tongue firmly in cheek here), but I wonder how many of these esoteric setup routines are just urban myth.

Thanks to both ARANDAZZ and CURBNOISE for sharing your experiences.

arandazz:

• Open the tuner webpage...

I assume the OCUR tuner is listed in the Vista network devices and I get to the tuner webpage from there.  Correct?

arandazz:

• Update firmware on ATI tuners...

The tuner's firmware can be upgraded from the device's webpage?

arandazz:

If your HP comes with the ViXS tuner you will need to update the driver with a vista view driver to use it for clear QAM. The Vista View Saber DA-1N1-E is the same card.

I was just reading another thread regarding my ViXS tuner and the VV driver.  Thanks for the confirmation on this.

One other question... if (most likely when) I purchase a couple more OCUR tuners do I just add them by re-running the tuner setup in VMC?

FirstSalvo:

I assume the OCUR tuner is listed in the Vista network devices and I get to the tuner webpage from there.  Correct?

YES.

FirstSalvo:

The tuner's firmware can be upgraded from the device's webpage?

NO. Follow the directions on ATI's website. http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/vista32/ocur-vista32.html You may need to run the utility more then one time if you have more then one tuner.

FirstSalvo:

One other question... if (most likely when) I purchase a couple more OCUR tuners do I just add them by re-running the tuner setup in VMC?

If you add OCUR tuners I believe you will have to run the setup again. I have not done this though. With the TV Pack you are limited to 2 with Home Premium and 4 with Ultimate.

arandazz:

If your HP comes with the ViXS tuner you will need to update the driver with a vista view driver to use it for clear QAM. The Vista View Saber DA-1N1-E is the same card.

Which version of the driver did you use?  I assume the newest one (v6.210012).

   http://www.vistaview.tv/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=33&Itemid=46

Did you also install this QAM patch issued this month from Vista View?  If so any luck with it?  I assume it enables QAM on the combo ATSC/NSTC board in a way capatible with the TV Pack.

   http://www.vistaview.tv/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=41&Itemid=46

Bump... arandazz?

FirstSalvo:

Which version of the driver did you use?  I assume the newest one (v6.210012). http://www.vistaview.tv/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=33&Itemid=46

YES. I installed the driver v6.210012.

FirstSalvo:

Did you also install this QAM patch issued this month from Vista View?  If so any luck with it?  I assume it enables QAM on the combo ATSC/NSTC board in a way capatible with the TV Pack. http://www.vistaview.tv/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=41&Itemid=46 

NO. I did not install the patch.

arandazz:

I have a HP m9000t with the TV pack installed.

If you setup the tuners without the cable cards you will have to run the setup again after you install the cards.

I would suggest setting everything up with the cable cards. These are the setups I would follow:

• Update firmware on ATI tuners
• Connect cable wires to tuners and insert cable cards.
• Wait a few minutes for both led's to be green. If the led's aren't green you have card, signal or tuner issues. You will not be able to setup the tuners until the issues are resolved. (setting them up to do clear QAM will help identify issues)
• Open the tuner webpage, click on the card tab, click on the pairing link. (one way of getting the pairing info - links only show up when a card is installed and working correctly)
• Run media center setup. Follow the steps on the screen. (pairing info will come up here as well.)

Had the TWC tech out here this afternoon and we couldn't get things working.  Both LEDs are green on the tuner.  Vista recognizes the tuner just fine.  The TV Signal Setup wizard goes through and detects the DCT and a digital cable signal, BUT does not detect the CableCard.  He used a Scientific Atlanta PowerKey PKM600 S-Card.  On the tuner webpage there is no "Pairing" link.  On the tuner tab of the tuner webpage the "Status" says "Error".  Does that mean that the card is crap?  Is an M-Card required?  Reminder I have the TV-Pack installed.

FirstSalvo:

Had the TWC tech out here this afternoon and we couldn't get things working.  Both LEDs are green on the tuner.  Vista recognizes the tuner just fine.  The TV Signal Setup wizard goes through and detects the DCT and a digital cable signal, BUT does not detect the CableCard.  He used a Scientific Atlanta PowerKey PKM600 S-Card.  One the tuner webpage there is no "Pairing" link.  One the tuner tab of the tuner webpage the "Status" says "Error".  Does that mean that the card is crap?  Is an M-Card required?  Reminder I have the TV-Pack installed.

When the tech came out to do my CableCard install, he puts the CableCards in, and they weren't detected.  I checked, and he hadn't pushed the cards all the way in, they were just resting in the slots, not making electrical contact.

In addition, I think that it might be possible to insert the cards upside down, and they won't work that way either.

I suggest installing one card at a time:  Push it in firmly to make sure it is seated, and then check the tuner's web page for status.  If it doesn't show the CableCard, take the card out, flip it over, re-insert, and check the status again.  Once you use one card to figure out which side is up, insert the other into the other tune, and check the status on the other tuner.

Before the tech calls on the phone to pair, you should write down the various pairing numbers yourself.  Then when the tech is on the phone, listen carefully and check to make sure he doesn't give a wrong digit to the operator.  A single wrong digit will prevent pairing, and there doesn't seem to be a good indication given by the system when a digit is entered incorrectly.

I have a couple of (long-winded) blog entries that might be of interest:  http://dondumitru.spaces.live.com/

--Don

 

FirstSalvo:

Had the TWC tech out here this afternoon and we couldn't get things working.  Both LEDs are green on the tuner.  Vista recognizes the tuner just fine.  The TV Signal Setup wizard goes through and detects the DCT and a digital cable signal, BUT does not detect the CableCard.  He used a Scientific Atlanta PowerKey PKM600 S-Card.  One the tuner webpage there is no "Pairing" link.  One the tuner tab of the tuner webpage the "Status" says "Error".  Does that mean that the card is crap?  Is an M-Card required?  Reminder I have the TV-Pack installed.

The first time Verizon came to install my cable cards I got "error" as my card status on both of my tuners. We tried everything. We made sure the cards were fully inserted, tried installing the cards when the tuners were off, tried with the tuners on; they just wouldn't give anything other then the "error" status. The tech ended up leaving with the cards. I had to have another tech come out a few days later with different cards. We installed each tuner separately with the new cards and they both ended up working instantly.

Your tech could have brought bad cards.

dondu:

When the tech came out to do my CableCard install, he puts the CableCards in, and they weren't detected.  I checked, and he hadn't pushed the cards all the way in, they were just resting in the slots, not making electrical contact.

In addition, I think that it might be possible to insert the cards upside down, and they won't work that way either.

I have an external tuner which upon inspection with a flashlight the card can only be inserted one way.  I made sure that the card was inserted fully.  Not the problem.

dondu:

I suggest installing one card at a time.

I bought an HP m9300t which only came with one tuner so I only have one to worry about. Hopefully I will buy couple more here soon if the outrageous eBay prices come down a little.

dondu:

Before the tech calls on the phone to pair, you should write down the various pairing numbers yourself.  Then when the tech is on the phone, listen carefully and check to make sure he doesn't give a wrong digit to the operator.  A single wrong digit will prevent pairing, and there doesn't seem to be a good indication given by the system when a digit is entered incorrectly.

Great advice!  I will be certain to pay attention on their next visit Wednesday.

dondu:

I have a couple of (long-winded) blog entries that might be of interest:  http://dondumitru.spaces.live.com/

Great posts!  It appears that all evidence points to a bad card.  My tuner is not DOA, it tunes my analog and clear QAM channels just fine.  Signal strength is excellent according to the tech.  When he called in they were able to see my card and see it go up and down upon restarting the computer, but in the end the card was not detected by VMC.

arandazz:

The first time Verizon came to install my cable cards I got "error" as my card status on both of my tuners. We tried everything. We made sure the cards were fully inserted, tried installing the cards when the tuners were off, tried with the tuners on; they just wouldn't give anything other then the "error" status. The tech ended up leaving with the cards. I had to have another tech come out a few days later with different cards. We installed each tuner separately with the new cards and they both ended up working instantly.

Your tech could have brought bad cards.

Yeah after the tech left I tried all manners of rebooting and all ways of inserting the card, with power on, power off, cycled power, blah, blah.  Nothing worked.  Still says "error" status.

The tech actually brought 2 cards (both S-cards).  I reminded him of how often the cards are bad and suggested that he try the other card, but he was set on believing the card was fine and kind of took the guy on the phone's word for it that he needed an M-Card to work.  I conveyed the info that folks on here have it working with either type but you know how that goes... they don't like being told how to do their job.

I'll just be the first to shout 'I told you so' if he can't get it to work with another bad card during his return visit on Wednesday.

Something else to check is your firewall settings. Make sure the exception for the digital tuner is checked in the windows firewall. If you have any other firewall programs installed you need to turn off the firewall for the digital tuner IP address. HP has an article about it. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01342980&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Another word of advice.  I actually had to go through a number of cards before I found one that did not give me an error.  The M-Cards did not work at all for me.  BTW, I have Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, NC.

It took 3 visits by TWC to get my tuners working.  The first visit he only brought 2 cards.  The second visit he brought multiple cards and we got one working.  The third visit they brought multiple cards and we got the second one working.   One of my cards is still a little finicky but attempts to replace it did not yield good results so I just left it.

When I setup the service call I made sure they put a note to bring multiple cards.  A majority of the cards they have are old and have errors with the firmware.  Technically the cards can request a firmware update and update "over the wire" but TWC does not have this functionality enabled everywhere.  In most places the only allow firmware updates back in the main office.

Good luck!!

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